It’s hard to read the words our president uttered as he committed us to war in Iraq. It’s hard to remember life before this albatross was tied around our necks, and it’s hard not to wince at the utter pretense and sanctimony of this idiot.
Here, with a couple of comments from me, is what Bush said three years ago. As you read this, please keep in mind that 2,316 Americans have died as a result of this indulgence, along with 204 “Coalition” members. Between 33,600 and 37,800 Iraqi civilians have been killed. And the numbers of wounded and maimed from all nations involved is inestimable.
I mean no disrespect to the men and women who accepted this burden, and sincerely thank them for being willing to protect me and extend the freedoms America once represented to other people. But the Iraq War sucks. Big time.
In his address at 0315 GMT Thursday, [March 19, 2003] Bush said:
“My fellow citizens, at this hour American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.
On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein’s ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign.
More than 35 countries are giving crucial support, from the use of naval and air bases, to help with intelligence and logistics, to the deployment of combat units. Every nation in this coalition has chosen to bear the duty and share the honor of serving in our common defense.
To all of the men and women of the United States armed forces now in the Middle East, the peace of a troubled world and the hopes of an oppressed people now depend on you.
That trust is well placed.
The enemies you confront will come to know your skill and bravery. The people you liberate will witness the honorable and decent spirit of the American military. [Abu Ghraib]
In this conflict, America faces an enemy who has no regard for conventions of war or rules of morality. [“Quaint” Geneva Conventions and habeus corpus] Saddam Hussein has placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian areas, attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shields for his own military; a final atrocity against his people.
I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm. A campaign on the harsh terrain of a nation as large as California could be longer and more difficult than some predict. And helping Iraqis achieve a united, stable and free country will require our sustained commitment.
We come to Iraq with respect for its citizens, for their great civilization and for the religious faiths they practice. We have no ambition in Iraq, except to remove a threat and restore control of that country to its own people.
I know that the families of our military are praying that all those who serve will return safely and soon.
Million of Americans are praying with you for the safety of your loved ones and for the protection of the innocent.
For your sacrifice, you have the gratitude and respect of the American people and you can know that our forces will be coming home as soon as their work is done.
Our nation enters this conflict reluctantly [but Bush didn’t], yet our purpose is sure. The people of the United States and our friends and allies will not live at the mercy of an outlaw regime that threatens the peace with weapons of mass murder.
We will meet that threat now with our Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines, so that we do not have to meet it later with armies of firefighters and police and doctors on the streets of our cities [Also third anniversary of the “We’re fighting them over there so we don’t have to fight them here” line] .
Now that conflict has come, the only way to limit its duration is to apply decisive force. And I assure you, this will not be a campaign of half measures and we will accept no outcome but victory [Who said, “If we sent them there to win, we sent too few. If we sent them there to die, we sent too many” ?].
My fellow citizens, the dangers to our country and the world will be overcome. We will pass through this time of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others. And we will prevail.
May God bless our country and all who defend her.”
Sigh.
What a bunch of claptrap.
“There are no greater fools than those fools who follow known fools willingly!”—
From an old Idaho hillbilly—
THE BIGGEST FOOL IS THE ROGUE THAT STOLE THE WHITE HOUSE IN THE FIRST PLACE FOR SURE WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGHT TO EIN IT! HE ONLY HAD TO GOALS IS WHY HE WANTED THIS POSITION! A A VENDETTA FOR DADDY AND AT THE SAME TIME MAKE GAS COST US LIKE HELL! AND B MAKE AL THE REPUGS RICHER! MY DADDY SAID HE HAS NEVEVER SEEN A REPUG THAT WAS NOT FOR THE RICH!!!! LOOK HOW ROSEVELT HAD TO SETUP SOUP LIKES TO HELP PEOPLE THAT THE ROTTEN ASS HOVER ALMOST STARVED TO DEATH—-HUH! ANDOTHER DAM STUPID REPUG FOR THE RICH!
The Iraqis must love that line about fighting the terrorists there so we don’t have to fight them here. ” Thanks a lot America for setting up your ” Risk Gameboard” in our country! UBL was high-fiving his trolls on that day: 3/19/2003. That’s just what he wanted: a global war against the evil-doers. Oops, that was Bush’s line, I get them confused.
And if we caught UBL in Dec. 2001 would we still have gone to Iraq? Heraldo was there, and he said it seemed like we LET him go. Remember Bush said he doesn’t give UBL much thought anymore. I’m from NY, so I do kind of give him some thought. Especially in my nightmares. I wish I could wake up from this Neo-nut wet dream.